Trump Signs Columbus Day Proclamation
On Thursday afternoon, applause filled the White House as President Donald Trump signed a proclamation dedicated to Italian explorer Christopher Columbus. White House Chief of Staff Will Schaaf informed Trump ahead of the routine Cabinet meeting that they would be announcing the Columbus Day proclamation for the upcoming Monday a bit early.
Trump remarked, “Columbus discovered the New World in 1492. He was a remarkable Italian explorer. He crossed the Atlantic on three ships—Nina, Pinta, and Santa Maria—landing in what we now call the Caribbean Sea. This day holds significant importance for Italian Americans, who celebrate Columbus’s achievements and the adventurous spirit he symbolized.”
He added, “So we call this day Columbus Day,” which prompted another round of applause from those gathered.
Trump further declared, “The people of Italy, we are back,” which was met with enthusiastic clapping. He even joked about the applause from the press, noting, “I’ve never seen anything like that. Good. Columbus Day. We’re back. Italians, we love Italians.”
Columbus Day was established as a federal holiday in 1971 after a long history of the Italian-American community honoring the explorer with various proclamations. However, in recent years, there has been a push from activists to rename the day and instead recognize Indigenous Peoples’ Day, arguing that Columbus’s legacy is tied to colonialism and violence against Native Americans. Statues of Columbus have been removed in many cities, particularly following the unrest in 2020.
Former Vice President Kamala Harris has been an advocate for this shift, encouraging people to confront the uncomfortable history of European explorers. In 2021, she emphasized the need to address and not overlook the “shameful past” inflicted on Indigenous populations.
On the same day, Trump also signed a separate proclamation celebrating Viking explorer Leif Erikson.
